In 2025, comedian Matt Rife became the legal guardian of the famous Annabelle doll

In 2025, Matt Rife added an iconic property to this real estate profile by buying Ed and Lorraine Warren's Connecticut home and Occult Museum for $1 million(Image Credit: Instagram)

Matt Rife is known for his stand-up comedy, viral videos and special shows, but one of his biggest purchases has little to do with comedy. In 2025, Rife and YouTuber Elton Castee bought the Connecticut home and Occult Museum that once belonged to Ed and Lorraine Warren, the paranormal investigators whose cases became the inspiration for films including 'The Conjuring' and 'Annabelle'.The purchase immediately grabbed the attention of horror fans because the Warren property houses one of the most recognisable objects in paranormal pop culture: the real Annabelle doll.Rife announced the news on Instagram, saying he was now the legal guardian of the Warren collection for at least five years. He also made it clear that his interest in the property was personal, saying he has long been fascinated by paranormal stories and that 'The Conjuring' films are among his favourite scary movies.

Matt Rife bought the Warren home and Occult Museum in 2025

Rife and Castee purchased the Warren property in Monroe, Connecticut, in August 2025. According to property records reported by CT Insider, the Knollwood Street property was sold to Haunted Homes LLC for $1 million. The company was registered earlier that year, with Castee listed as a manager.The property had previously belonged to the family of Ed and Lorraine Warren, who became famous for their investigations into alleged paranormal activity.

But there is an important detail about what Rife actually bought.The comedian and Castee own the property, but they do not own the roughly 750 artefacts that make up the Warren collection. Instead, they became the legal guardians and caretakers of those objects under a five-year arrangement with the Warren family. Reportedly, the collection remains owned by Tony and Judy Spera, Lorraine Warren's son-in-law and daughter.

The Warren Occult Museum is home to the famous Annabelle doll

The biggest name in the collection is, of course, Annabelle. The real Annabelle doll is quite different from the frightening porcelain doll seen in the 'Annabelle' movies. The actual object is a Raggedy Ann-style doll that the Warrens claimed was connected to paranormal activity.The doll became part of the Warren collection and eventually became one of the most famous objects associated with the couple.Rife included Annabelle in his announcement about the purchase, sharing photographs of himself and Castee with the doll.

UPI reported that the comedian described himself as a longtime fan of the paranormal and 'The Conjuring' franchise. Annabelle is not the only unusual object associated with the museum. The Warren collection contains hundreds of artefacts connected to cases the couple investigated over the years.

Ed and Lorraine Warren's museum had been closed to visitors for years

The Warren Occult Museum was once open to visitors, but it had been closed for years because of zoning restrictions. The report stated that the museum had been closed to the public since 2014 because the residential neighbourhood did not allow a museum to operate there.

The collection's popularity had also created concerns among neighbours, particularly because of visitors coming to the area.

Inside Ed and Lorraine Warren's Connecticut home and Occult Museum(Image credit: Instagram)

The museum was previously managed by the Warrens' daughter Judy Spera and her husband, Tony Spera. Tony Spera also served as curator of the collection. That meant Rife and Castee were taking over a property that already had a complicated history, and one that had attracted paranormal enthusiasts for decades.

Matt Rife wants people to experience the Warren house

Rife has been open about what he wants to do with the property. When he announced the purchase, he said he and Castee planned to open the Warren house for overnight stays and museum tours, allowing visitors to experience the location and learn about its history.The idea makes sense for Rife, who has repeatedly spoken about his interest in haunted places and paranormal stories. However, reopening the original museum to the public is not as simple as unlocking the doors.

The property's previous zoning problems remain an important part of the story. The town would need to consider any plans involving the museum and public access.

The house is closely connected to 'The Conjuring' franchise

Ed and Lorraine Warren's name became widely known through Hollywood. Their alleged investigations inspired 'The Conjuring' franchise, along with movies such as 'Annabelle' and 'The Nun'. The films turned the Warrens into recognisable figures in modern horror culture, even though the paranormal claims surrounding their cases remain matters of belief and debate.That connection is a major reason the Connecticut home and Warren Occult Museum have attracted so much attention.For Rife, the purchase is also closely connected to his own love of horror. In his announcement, he said that the Warrens had helped bring demonology and paranormal stories into mainstream culture and described their home and museum as an important piece of paranormal history.